Spindle-bearing for combination-locks.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

R. O. LEWIS. SPINDLE BEARING FOR COMBINATION LOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED APRJB, 1905.

INVENTOR mu 8 f S'ES WW tome UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

ROLLIN C. LEWIS, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE YALE & TOWNEMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF STAMFORD,

CONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed April 15, 1905. Serial No. 255,809.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, RoLLIN C. LEWIS, of Stamford, in the county ofFairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Spindle-Bearings for Combination-Locks; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in combination-locks moreparticularly designed for use in connection with a time-lock.

Where two combination-locks are used in connection with a time-lock andcooperating to make one complete locking mechanism for a safe, the threelocks are secured to a plate and the latter is secured to the safe-door.It will be readily understood that as each of the combination-locks hasto have a separate s pindle through the door to operate it it is anexceedingly diificult matter to so locate these holes that the spindleswill come in exactly the right positions to operate thecombination-locks without binding and also set up the combinationsaccurately each time. In practice it has been found practicallyimpossible to drill the spindle-holes with sufficient accuracy toaccomplish the above results. Hence it is generally necessary to redrillor enlarge these holes, thus resulting in a fit not as accurate as itshould be or the troublesome and expensive expedient of readjusting thelocks on the plates has to be resorted to.

The object of the present invention is to obviate this difficulty byproviding the combination-locks with adjustable bearings for thespindles, thus permitting the bearings to be adjusted to accommodatethemselves to the holes made for them in the doors.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of acombination-lock casing, showing the spindle-gear and tumblergear, theother parts of the lock being removed. Fig. 2 is a similar view showingthe gearing removed. Fig. 3 is a view of the op posite face of the lock;and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through thespindle-gear, its bearing, and case.

While I have stated at the outstart that the combination-lockscontaining the improvements are intended to be used in pairs inconnection with a time-lock, I would have it understood that theimprovement is in the combination-lock whether used alone or incombination with other locks.

1 represents the lock-case provided with the tumbler-carrier pinion 2,mounted on the bearing 3 and meshing with the spindle-gear 4:. This gearleis provided with an elongated hub 5, projecting from both sides of thegear, and it and its elongated hub are provided with an angular openingor bore for the reception of the actuating-spindle. Heretofore the hub 5of the gear 4 has been mounted in a bearing formed in the lock-case.With the case 1 fixed to the door or on part carried by the door and thespindle-bearing integral it has, as heretofore explained, been anexceedingly difficult operation to bore the spindlehole so that it willexactly aline with the spindle-bearing in the lock-case.

The present invention consists in making the spindle-bearing in thelock-case in an independent piece adjustably secured to the lock case,so that it can be moved sidewise or ra-.

dially with reference to the center of the spindle in any direction. Thebearing 6 is in the form of a thimble to receive the projecting end ofthe hub 5 of the spindle-gear 4 and is provided with a series ofradially-projecting arms 7 each of which is provided with screw-threadedopening to receive a screw 8, passed through the casing from theoutside. The hole in the casing l to receive the thimble-bearing6 isslightly larger than the latter, so as to permit the bearing to beshifted to a limited distance in any direction, and the holes throughthe case for the passage of the screws are somewhat larger than thescrews for the same purpose. The alinement between the spindle-openingin the spindle-gear and the spindle-opening in the door must be exact.As before stated, it is a diiiticult task to bore the hole in the doorto exactly aline with the spindle-bearing; but when proper care isexercised it is not difiicult to get the spindle-hole in the door withinseveral hundredths of aninch of its correct position. The enlargement ofthe spindle-opening in the door to correct this error in alinementresults not only in considerable lost time and its attendant expense,but in an inaccurate fitting of the parts. With the spindle-bearing 6adjustable within reasonable limits it will be readily seen that thelatter can be adjusted to aline with the spindle-opening in the door,but cannot be moved sufliciently to carry the spindle-gear out of meshWith the tumblergear.

With this arrangement the spindle-hole can be drilled and the lock-casesecured to the door and all differences in alinement between thespindle-opening in the lock-case and the spindle-opening in the doorcompensated for by the adjustable spindle-bearing in the lockcase.

It is evident that many slight changes might be resorted to in therelative arrangementof parts shown and described without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I would have it understoodthat I do not wish to confine myself to the exact construction shown anddescribed; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a combination-lock, the combination with a lock-casing, of aspindle-bearing detachably secured to the casing and carrying the gearwhich actuates the tumblers.

2. In a combination-lock with a case having an opening therein, of abearing adjustably secured in said opening and carrying the spindle-gearwheel.

3. In a combination-lock, the combination with a lock-casing having anopening therein, of a thimble-bearing smaller than said opening andadjustable in all directions therein and screws for locking thethimble-bearing to the case.

,4. In a combination-lock the combination with a case having aspindle-opening therein, of a thimble-bearing for said spindle of lessdiameter than the opening in the case and provided With projectionshaving threaded openings, and screws adjustably connecting said pearingto the case.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ROLLIN' o LEWIS.

Witnesses:

SGHUYLER MERRITT, F. T. TOWNE.

